Der Biergarten is an outdoor area in which beer, other drinks, and local food are served. Beer gardens originated in Southern Germany and are most common there. They’re usually attached to a beer hall, pub, or restaurant. They first developed in the Kingdom of Bavaria in the 19th century, during which dark lager beer was predominant. To provide beer during the summer, large breweries dug cellars in the banks of the River Isar for the storage of beer in order to keep it cool. To further reduce the cellar temperature, they covered the river banks with gravel and planted chestnut trees, whose leaves provided cooling shadow. Soon after, the beer cellars were not only used to store but also to serve beer. Simple tables and benches were set up among the trees, creating beer gardens, which soon became a popular venue for the people. This aggrieved smaller breweries that remained in Munich. To prevent further loss of customers, they petitioned Maximilian I to forbid the serving of food in the beer cellars surrounding Munich. Consequently, in riposte, the beer gardens allowed their patrons to bring their own food - which is still common practice today. The decree is no longer in force, and most beer gardens do serve food today. According to current law, traditional beer gardens that still allow patrons to bring their own food and serve beer under shading trees are privileged in regard to a later closing hour and noise limits. An important part of life for many citizens, the Bavarian Biergärten usually serve common local cuisine such as Radi (radishes), Brezn (pretzels), Obatzda (cheese), halbes Hendl (grilled chicken), Hax'n (pork knuckle), and Steckerlfisch (grilled fish).
Beer gardens are very popular in Germany. The Hirschgarten is a restaurant in Munich that is noted for its beer garden, which may be the largest in the world - it has seating for over 8000 people. The restaurant dates back to 1791. In 2011, the world record for ‘The worlds longest beer garden’ was set in Berlin by the Berlin Beer Festival, measuring 1,820m.
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